New Order (19 page)

‘Let’s get going, Doc. I’ve got things to do.’

He nods briskly. ‘Of course, of course. Any more hallucinations?’ His tone is akin to that of someone inquiring about where I’ve been on my holidays.

‘No.’

‘Good.’ He claps his hands together. ‘The drugs are helping then?’

‘Mm.’

‘You’re not exceeding the dosage.’

‘No,’ I answer truthfully. ‘Definitely not.’

‘I’m pleased to hear it.’

I force a smile and prepare for a long, painful hour. When I finally escape, Connor and Arzo are waiting for me. I push away the familiar sinking feeling and drink while Connor stands placidly and Arzo watches, unblinking. Apparently I’m still not trusted to take care of my dietary needs. When I’m done, Connor smiles and leaves. I scan Arzo’s face, worried that he somehow knows what the majority of my nocturnal activities involve these days, but he gives me an easy grin.

‘How’d it go with Doctor Love?’

‘Great. I don’t think I’ll need many sessions. I feel much better already.’

‘You can’t rush these things, Bo. It takes time to recover from that kind of trauma. If you ever do recover.’

I curse inwardly but paste on a smile. ‘You’re right.’ He relaxes. ‘How’s the hunt going for an office?’

‘Getting there. I’ve found a suitable place on Harbour Road and another on Link Street. I’m negotiating with the landlords. Hopefully we can sign the papers on the cheapest one and move in not long after the announcement is made.’

‘Michael said he wasn’t going to involve himself financially.’ I manage to keep the rancour out of my voice.

‘Indeed. That’s a good idea of his to keep out of it.’ I narrow my eyes in suspicion - is he having a dig at me? He winks from his wheelchair. ‘I’ve got some savings to get us started,’ he says, patting my hand. ‘We’ll be fine.’

‘We still need a human,’ I tell him. ‘A proper investigator, not a drinks dispenser like Connor.’ My mind drifts back to X telling me about the human face of the Streets of Fire CEO. I don’t want to work for a puppet. ‘Someone with enough experience to help out the rest of us rookies.’ Then I hastily amend my words. ‘Not you, of course.’

‘I’m a better office manager than investigator,’ Arzo says, not taking offence. ‘Especially these days. I have a few ideas. Once things get firmed up, I’ll run them by you.’

‘Okay.’ I trust him implicitly.

He shifts uncomfortably in his chair. ‘There is one thing...’

‘Yes?’

‘There’ll be you, me, Matthew, Connor and whichever human joins us.’ I nod, not sure what he’s getting at. ‘We could probably do with another body in the office to help out.’

I shrug. ‘You’re the expert, Arzo. And it’s your money starting up this whole thing anyway. Do what you think is right.’

He won’t meet my eyes. ‘I was thinking that Peter would be a good addition.’

I start. ‘Peter as in Sanguine Peter?’

He nods. I’ve not seen Peter since before the events that overtook me at Big Ben. Both of us were recruited as vampires at the same time. I’d wanted desperately not to complete the turning process so I could become Sanguine like Arzo. Peter hadn’t cared. Unfortunately things didn’t turn out quite the way I’d expected.

‘That’s cool. I like him.’

‘I thought that maybe…’

‘Working with two Sanguines when I’m a vampire would be too much for me?’

Arzo nods. I smile. ‘Peter didn’t have anything to do with what happened.’

‘I know. But…’

‘Thanks for checking. It’s fine though, Arzo. Ask him.’

‘I’m not sure he’ll say yes. He’s rather troubled.’

I sigh. ‘He always is.’

‘That’s why I think having something to do will help him.’

I laugh. ‘This agency is going to be full of waifs and strays. It’s better than a bunch of criminals though.’ As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I realise what I’ve said. Embarrassment overcomes me and I choke.

‘You probably shouldn’t go around advertising that fact, Bo. It’s not public knowledge.’

I stare down at my shoes. ‘Sorry,’ I mumble. I mentally kick myself.

My blushes are interrupted by a clamour from outside. There’s a screech of speeding tyres and a lot of shouting. Alarmed, I run through the lobby and out the front doors. A huge wooden cross has been shoved into one of the flowerbeds that line the edge of the property. It’s on fire, lighting up the night with stark orange flames, and it reeks of petrol. Several Montserrat vampires push past me, carrying buckets of water.

‘Fuck.’ Arzo wheels up next to me. Together, we watch the cross burn, the heat burning our skin even from this distance.

‘Maybe you should hurry along those rent negotiations,’ I mutter.

His troubled eyes blink in acknowledgment.

Chapter Thirteen: Fingertip’s Deid

I hover around the front long after the flames are doused and Arzo has disappeared. Montserrat vampires cluster together, speaking in hushed voices, and Michael emerges rigid with rage. It’s not until Beth and Nell appear that anyone talks to me. I definitely have the aura of a pariah clinging to me.

‘Smeg, Bo. Did you see who did this?’ Beth breathes, staring at the blackened cross.

I shake my head.

‘It was probably just kids,’ Nell dismisses. ‘Some kind of prank.’

‘A prank?’ Beth rounds on her. ‘It’s what the Ku Klux Klan does!’

‘The Ku Klux Klan don’t worry about getting drained of every drop of blood in their system. We catch one or two of the pricks who did this and they won’t dare come near us again.’

‘You’d kill them, Nell? Even if they’re just kids?’ I say it quietly but I’m appalled by her words. Obviously tensions are running equally high on both human and vampire sides.

‘What the hell would you know about it, Bo? It’s not as if you’re a real vampire!’ Nell strides off, joining another group and gesticulating wildly in the cross’s direction.

Beth watches me carefully. ‘Nell just feels hurt that you left. She wasn’t aware of everything that was going on with you before.’

‘If I’m not a real vampire and I’m not a real human, what am I?’

‘She didn’t mean it.’

‘I think she did.’ Pushing away my own problems, I change the subject. ‘How’s training going?’

Beth beams. ‘It’s fantastic! Every day I feel stronger. Last night, Ursus had us climbing up to the roof of the atrium. Can you believe it? The atrium!’

I don’t burst her bubble by telling her about my own rooftop adventures. She mistakes the expression on my face. ‘I mean, there’s a lot of boring PowerPoints too,’ she adds hastily. ‘You know Ursus.’

I smile reassuringly, then glance up as I sense Michael’s gaze on me. Another vampire is next to him, speaking earnestly about placing a permanent guard outside the mansion.

‘What is with you and our sexy Lord?’

‘Huh?’

‘You arrived together, Bo. You’re not making the beast with two backs, are you? Engaging with the one-eyed snake?’

‘Jeez, Beth.’ I scrunch up my face.

‘You should be careful,’ she warns. ‘You’ve broken with the Family and that’s fine, but it’ll only end in tears if you fall for him.’

‘Nothing’s going on.’

‘Yeah, right,’ she scoffs. ‘Why is he looking at you in the same way a lion looks at a juicy buffalo?’

She’s right. He’s still watching me and there is a definitely a tinge of the predator about him. ‘Because I think he’s about to come over and forbid me to go out on the streets without an armed guard.’

‘You’re not Montserrat any more. He can’t do that.’

‘Exactly.’ I change the subject. ‘I need to find Matt.’

‘Birdbrain? What do you need him for?’

‘Don’t call him that, Beth. It’s not his fault he’s the way he is.’

‘I called him that before Nicky forced that stupid spell on him. Admittedly, he’s fractionally less annoying now than he was then.’

I throw her a look and she holds up her palms in submission. ‘I think he’s in the gym. Ursus told him to work out about five hours ago. Until he’s told otherwise, he’ll still be there.’

‘Great,’ I mutter. He’ll be tired and sweaty. It’ll be like wandering around the streets with a heavy ball and chain attached to my leg. Still, I promised I’d take him with me. ‘I’m going to fetch him then he and I are going for a little jaunt.’

Her mouth drops open. ‘What? That’s not fair! I’m smegging stronger than he is. He drank blood hours after his turning. I lasted much longer.’

‘I know, Beth,’ I say softly, ‘but I can make sure he won’t go blabbing to anyone about what I’m doing.’ Before she can protest, I add, ‘Not that I don’t trust you. Of course I do. But you’re Montserrat.’

‘So’s he.’

‘Yeah, but you’re not suffering from the effects of a spell that makes you do whatever you’re told. You’re also not allowed out.’

‘Matt is?’

‘Matt’s chances of surviving as a vampire are tiny. He can’t do what you’re doing. And while you
are
stronger, he
looks
like he is.’

‘He spends five hours in the gym every day.’

‘People believe what they see. Even if what they see is a lie.’

‘I can’t believe Lord Montserrat is breaking his own laws for Matt as well as you.’

I glance at the cross. ‘Winds of change.’

‘And not necessarily good ones.’

I don’t disagree; my own situation aside, she may be right. ‘Look, when I come out with Matt, I need you to do me a favour.’

‘I might not be strong enough.’

‘Beth…’

‘Fine. But only because I like you. Plus you’re short. Standing next to you makes me look like an Amazonian warrior.’

I snort. ‘It’s only thanks to your shoes.’

She grins. ‘I think Ursus secretly covets them.’

I try – and fail – to imagine the large senior vampire as a cross-dresser. We exchange a glance and giggle.

‘What do you need me to do?’

‘Just keep him busy so Matt and I can get away.’  I don’t need to specify who I’m referring to; Beth understands.  I can’t deal with Michael changing his mind because of one burning cross.

‘Okay. But you’ll smegging owe me.’

‘I’ll add it to my ledger.’ I smile gratefully.

‘Bo?’

‘Yes?’

‘Be careful,’ she says. ‘You don’t want to end up as another statistic.’

I nod. ‘Thanks, Beth.’

*               *               *

‘This is exciting!’ Matt shouts in my ear, when we’re finally speeding away from the mansion.

‘Kidnapping is not exciting. We’re not in a movie, Matt. You need to be more serious.’

‘What?’

‘I said, you need to be more serious.’

‘Oh.’ He’s silent for a moment then yells again. ‘The financial markets are recovering well, don’t you think?’

‘Matt?’

‘Yes, Bo?’

‘Shut up.’

I accelerate out of the corner, keeping my eyes peeled for anyone who may have perpetrated the attack on the Montserrat Family. Unless I pass someone carrying a cross and a jerrycan, it’s unlikely I’ll be successful but I still try.

We finally pull up outside a dilapidated block of flats on the outskirts of the city. I park the bike then turn to Matt. ‘Whatever happens when you’re with me, you don’t tell a soul about any of it. Got that?’

‘Yes, Bo.’

‘And don’t speak unless I give you permission.’

‘Yes, Bo.’

‘You’re here as back-up. That means I need you to watch my back in case anyone tries anything sneaky.’

He immediately scoots behind me. I twist round. Matt’s eyes are fixed on my spine. I sigh. Matt and I did not exactly gel when we first met but his total lack of self-awareness now is pathetic. I wonder whether I could find X again and ask him to do his freaky mind stuff to help Matt out. Then I dismiss the thought. If I never see another Kakos daemon again it will be too soon. Even if he purports to know something about a cure for vampirism.

We walk inside the open door to a tiled space that reeks of urine. There’s the frame of a wheel-less bicycle propped to one side and numerous black bags. One of them rustles and I shudder and move away. It’s probably just a cockroach or a rat but that doesn’t mean I want to get any closer. The dull grey walls are decorated with meaningless graffiti:
Rab woz here
and the like. This is the address for the last name on Templeton’s list – the leader of a small coven of white witches. In stark contrast to Cheung and X, this person’s bank accounts have clearly seen better days. It seems strange that someone who lives here would need an accountant but if they’re desperate for money then they have the motive to kidnap Dahlia.

The lifts are, unsurprisingly, out of order. Despite my enhanced vampire physicality, I don’t fancy climbing thirteen flights of stairs but we don’t have much choice.

Matt and I are barely past the second floor when we pass a youngish man heading in the opposite direction. I pause to let him pass; Matt, meanwhile, snarls. I’m disturbed to see a drop of drool hanging from the corner of his mouth.

‘Have you drunk today?’ I ask, as soon as the man is out of sight.

He bobs his head. ‘Three times.’

I’m aghast. ‘Three times?’

‘I get hungry a lot.’

‘Are you hungry now?’

Matt frowns as he thinks about it. ‘No,’ he says finally, ‘I’m good.’

Thank goodness for small mercies. ‘Please don’t act aggressive towards everyone we meet. A lot of people don’t like vampires at the moment and it would be a good idea if we did something to stop that.’

‘Okay.’ A huge smile spreads across his face.

I eye him suspiciously. ‘What?’

‘You said please. Most people don’t. They just tell me what to do.’

I feel a wave of empathy. I guess Matt isn’t as brain dead as everyone thinks. I pat him on the shoulder and we continue upwards. We’re almost at the right floor when Matt nudges me. ‘Someone is following us,’ he whispers dramatically.

‘They’re probably on their way home to their own flat.’

He shakes his head. ‘No. When we stopped on the seventh floor, they stopped too. They’re copying what we’re doing.’

Interesting. I gesture to Matt to pick up speed. Instead of stopping on thirteen, we continue up one more flight, then curve round the corner so we’re out of sight. I flatten my body against the wall and listen. Matt copies me.